I think they have a place , but not for me. I don't think I have ever spent a whole evening in one, where I would in an old boozer. I have called in for breakfast, especially if no good old fashioned cafe around.
I was in Brum a few weeks ago and called in what I would call an old fashioned cafe near Kings Norton. Good chat from the owners, customers, salt of the earth and good food at a reasonable price.
Worked in London until I retired and the pubs are the same there, and I suppose across the country. Me and one of the lads went for a pint one night after work and before we set off he said, 'Do you know any old 'South London boozers' where we can have a proper drink and a chat with a load of old blokes (like us)?' So there must be a market for the old pubs but probably the concentration/density of customers are lacking.